DIY Supermarket

Garden ponds are beautiful if installed correctly. How easy is it to build one yourself? Follow this step-by-step guide to build your own garden pool.

The first step to installing a wildlife garden pond is to decide on a suitable location. The wildlife inhabitants of the pond will need both sunshine and shade if they are to survive and thrive. Take care in selecting a tree that will provide the shade. Many DIY garden pools fail due to rotting leaves lowering the oxygen level in the water and killing the fish. Remember, predators such as cats and herons will see your project as a source of food, so a cover net will help to prevent this problem, as well as overcome issues with falling leaves.

Next, make an outline of your pond using string, rope or anything else that is suitable. Excavate to a depth of around 50 cm and remove any sharp stones. Line the pond area with a layer of soft sand to prevent punctures.

Next, measure the size of the pond and purchase a suitable pond liner. To calculate the length required double the length of the hole and add one metre. For the width, double the width of the hole and again add one metre. Begin lining your pond, bearing in mind that it is crucial the liner covers the sides of the excavated area and does not puncture. Secure the liner using stones or bricks.

You are now ready to begin filling the pond with water, but slowly. As the quantity of water increases the liner will sink and fit into the excavated area. Once the pond is filled, cut the liner to size, leaving approximately 25 cm around the edges. Finally, you use paving slabs or stones to cover the exposed liner and select the plants and fish of your choice. Allow the water to settle for a day or so before introducing fish to the pond.

If you are thinking of having one of the many garden rooms on offer installed in your garden, then there are some things you need to consider to ensure you purchase one which best suits your needs.   Garden office buildings are fast becoming a very popular commodity following the rise of self-employed people who wish to have the space to work from home. Even if you are not self-employed, but simply wish to utilise the space you have in your garden, then a garden room is a worthwhile investment which can be used in many different ways. For example, it can be used as a studio, or a playroom for the children.

One thing you need to consider is what size you want your garden home office to be. You can have any size that comfortably fits in your garden, but it is worthwhile to think carefully about what you will need the room to accommodate once it has been built.

Next, you need to consider the kind of base you want to have installed. The bases on offer are very sturdy and substantial, and mean that your garden office is well supported and can withstand different types of weather. You can also have insulation installed so that the garden room has extra protection against the outside elements.

Most garden office buildings do not require planning permission, as long as they are within a specified size; the company you purchase your garden office from will be happy do advise you on this, and on any other queries you may have.

Outdoor decking sometimes discolours and turns grey when weathered. It is possible to restore wood back to its original rich shade using specialist decking restorer product, available from most DIY outlets.

If you intend to apply a protective coating on the decking, make sure you apply the restorer first.

Begin by cleaning debris off the decking using a stiff brush. Accumulated moss and algae is tough to remove and a pressure washer might help speed things up.

Make sure the surface of the decking is bare and that all previous coats of protector and stain are removed before applying the restorer.

Apply the restorer to the decking using a large paintbrush. As soon as it is applied, work the restorer into the wood grain using a scouring pad or stiff brush. Allow the restorer to sink into the wood and leave to stand for a while (read manufacturer’s instructions for exact times).

Finally, rinse off thoroughly with water, ensuring that no residue remains on the decking. Wait two days for decking to dry before applying a protective coat.

Using the latest in SIP panel technology, garden rooms are a new way to extend your house space without going through the hassle of building extensions; they are easily built and are an eco-friendly, cheaper option. Planning permission is not normally required for garden rooms, which also makes the construction work less stressful. Built with the finest quality of materials and to your specifications, these luxurious and stylish rooms will create extra space in your garden which can be used in a plethora of ways. Whether you want to entertain guests, eat in the garden, have a studio, want extra play space for your children or simply would like an extra room where you can chill out in the peace and tranquillity of your own garden, garden rooms are the perfect option.

A garden room is somewhere where you can get away from the noise and business of the home and yet still be at home. It is a luxury to be enjoyed and has been found by many to be a welcome and useful addition to their home.

Garden sheds are usually delivered as a pile of wood panels and pieces of timber that you have to assemble yourself. Although it may seem like a straightforward job, things can go wrong unless you follow these golden rules:

First, get the position of the shed right by measuring it out on the ground, taking into account the position of the door and which way it opens. Consider how you will access it and how it affects garden views.

The base really does have to be totally flat because even small differences can result in distortion and a shed that doesn’t fit together properly. Experts also advise that the base should be 25mm smaller than the floor of the shed, on all sides, to enable drainage.

Building a shed is one job that you really cannot do on your own. Help is needed at various stages, from holding up large heavy panels whilst you screw them into position, to lifting up the roof sections.

Make sure you have a good quality electric drill with screwdriver attachments. If you try to do everything by hand or to use an underpowered drill, you won’t be able to drive the screws home. Also make sure your drill is fully charged before you start.

Garden sheds usually come with all the nails, screws and tacks you require to do the job, plus instructions. Check that you are not missing any components and that you fully understand the instructions before you start.

It is not advisable to mow your lawn during the winter months so leave it to grow over the frosty season. Once it starts growing in the spring then you can start to cut the grass using your lawnmower blades at their highest setting. Check that your blades are sharp since blunt blades may damage your grass and prevent growth. As you move from spring into summer your mowing should become more regular and you can gradually lower the blades. It is recommended to raise the mower blades in drier weather and lower on moister days to help protect the grass. Also regularly changing your mowing pattern will help your grass to grow more upright.

Water your lawn either early morning or late evening. The water will evaporate, or even scorch some lawns, if you water it during the day.

You can improve your lawn’s drainage and health by spiking the grass with a spiker or garden fork. The ideal time is autumn since the lawn is likely to have become compressed over the busy summer season. It is important that you rake your lawn during the autumn months, removing fallen leaves and dead grass, so that the lawn can still receive light and water to feed on.

Our families are changing and the spaces in which we live are evolving.  Increasingly, people are looking for imaginative solutions to meet their needs for space and time.  To avoid the hassle and expense of moving, more of us are looking to expand our existing homes.  Constructing a garden room is an alternative to an expensive and intrusive extension, but it will still add value to a home.  Garden rooms create self-contained dwelling spaces that can be used for almost any purpose.

As the lines between work and our place of employment have become less distinct, more of us are working at home.  A garden room makes an ideal office, as it provides a space to work that is separate from the house yet is still integrated into the home.  A purpose-built garden room can also offer a safe space for teenagers to hang out with their friends.  Soundproofing can be added, making it a room to play, listen to and even make loud music.  Time and family commitments can make it hard to escape, but a garden room can be used as a much-needed gym or library.

Of course, if it is to be used all year round, the room will need to be fitted out with heating and perhaps even water.  The cost of construction depends on the materials used and the needs of the individual, as well as size and installation costs.  Garden rooms can be built to incorporate the latest eco-friendly equipment and fittings, giving them a distinct look and feel.

A garden room combines practicality with flexibility and can be as stylish as your purse strings will allow.

Gardening work is not for everyone, but laying down turf can be easy once you know how to do it.  The most important thing is to ensure that it is smooth, with no lumps and bumps; otherwise, it will look shoddy.

The best time to lay down turf is in the spring or autumn.  You need to make sure that the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen over.  It is important to get rid of any weeds, stones, existing grass and other objects that may be in the way before you start.  This will prepare the soil for a nice, smooth finish.

Next, you need to flatten out the soil.  You should use a hand rake for this at the start, and then a roller or your feet to flatten out the surface further.

Pre-turf fertiliser should be used next.  70g per square metre is recommended, and you can use a rake to work it in.  You are now ready to lay down the turf.  Measure the area out and mark off boundaries, so you can see where you will be working.

Cut each strip of turf to the right size, and lay the strips down in rows.  Stagger the joints, just like in brickwork, from one row to another.  Roll over your finished turf using a lightweight roller, and make sure to check for any gaps or bits that stick out.  You can fix these at the end, and sprinkle some grass seed on any bald patches.

Flower bulbs can be persuaded to bloom early when planted indoors. This means you can enjoy beautiful tulips, daffodils and other springtime flowers far earlier than during spring.

Chose the healthiest-looking spring flower bulbs you can find in autumn. Plant in a half-filled container of potting soil, remembering to plant the bulbs with the tip pointed upwards. Plant bigger bulbs deeper in the container, cover with soil, and layer a selection of smaller bulbs on top of the gaps between bulbs. Cover with soil and water.

Leave the container covered with straw in some area that will remain cool and dark – a garage or crawlspace, for example. Leave for a ‘chilling period’ in this space. A chilling period is the amount of time the bulb needs to begin bud formation, or new growth – it is also known as vernalisation. If you have planted a variety of different flowers, find out the longest chilling period needed and leave them for that length of time.

Once the chilling period has finished, bring the container indoors to a warm and sunny room. The bulbs will bloom beautifully, creating an early springtime indoors.

To save the bulbs for next year, wait until all the foliage has died away and remove them from the container. It is recommended to leave them to rest, converting the energy they absorbed from sunlight to nutrients for blooming, for 1,000 hours, or 12 weeks. When this time is up, you can plant them and once again enjoy their beautiful blooms.

Replacing felt on a ridged roof is fairly straightforward.  Remove the old felt first by loosening all nails with a claw hammer.  Hammer back in any nails that break off, to avoid sharp points ripping the replacement felt. Once all nails are removed, carefully pull off the old roof covering.  Check the timber below for damage and repair any holes.

Measure out the felt for the roof.  Felt rolls are rarely wide enough to cover a shed roof, so you will probably need to apply it in more than one piece.  You will find the felt quite easy to cut using a Stanley knife and a straight edge

Using galvanised nails, attach the measured felt to the facia at 50mm intervals.  Make sure the felt is smooth along the top edge and fix with nails at 150mm intervals.  Smooth felt over the edge of the shed roof and secure in place with more nails.

Depending on the size of the roof, further pieces of felt may be required.  Make sure to overlap them, taking them to about 50mm below the roof ridge.  Where overlaps occur, brush felt roofing adhesive and smooth the felt down, making sure there are no air bubbles.  Never nail through overlaps as this compromises waterproofing. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the roof.

For the ridge on top of the roof, cut a piece of felt approximately 200mm wide to fit along the roof length.  Waterproof mastic sealer should be used under this capping strip to secure it well.  All nails should be covered by this final strip of felt.